Fifty Shades of Sustainability? Tracking Social Equity in the Colors of the Economy

Abstract

Although sustainability remains an important global concern, questions persist about whether the social equity dimension of the concept is being integrated into research on the topic. This article investigates how the existing research on four popular color-themed economic frameworks—the green, orange, pink, and blue economies—engage with sustainability and how, if at all, social equity is considered within that work. Through a systematic bibliometric analysis of the Scopus database, this research identifies more than 12,000 records focusing both on sustainability and one of these four economic frameworks. Examining the patterns of equity-related concepts in these records reveals an uneven integration of social equity considerations across the frameworks: the green economy dominates in volume; the orange economy shows a proportionally higher focus on equity; the blue economy emerges as a space for justice- and access-oriented research; and the pink economy remains virtually absent from sustainability-related research. This research underscores the need for greater theoretical clarity, interdisciplinary integration, and policy-relevant research to elevate social equity as an equal pillar in global sustainability conversations related to economic development.